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The Korean Embassy in Vietnam announced that, effective July 2nd, visa policies for Vietnamese tourists have been relaxed and changed. Accordingly, Vietnamese tourists will no longer need to submit a "Certificate of Savings Account Balance" when applying for a tourist visa (C-3 visa) through domestic travel agencies that register to submit applications on their behalf.
In addition, for designated travel agencies, the visa processing time has been reduced from 7 days to 6 days, while for registered travel agencies, it has been reduced from 11 days to 9 working days. For independent travelers, the processing time remains 16 days.
A temple in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo: Unsplash)
To apply for a visa, travelers need to prepare documents such as proof of identity (passport, copy of national identity card, visa application form with photo), proof of employment, and professional profile.
Currently, proof of financial means such as a savings account is not required; only bank statements for the last three months are needed. Minors under 18 years old need a letter of consent from their parents along with proof of relationship. In addition to the documents mentioned, the Korean embassy may request additional documents if deemed necessary. Requesting additional documents may extend the visa processing time beyond the scheduled date, and the result will be announced 1-2 days after the documents are submitted.
The fee for a self-sponsored visa is $20 USD for visas under 90 days, $50 USD for single-entry visas over 90 days, $60 USD for two consecutive entries within 6 months, and $80 USD for multiple-entry visas. Application submission hours are from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, and visa collection hours are from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
Vietnamese applicants can check the visa application process, visa issuance status, and reasons for rejection on the Korean Embassy's visa information portal.
Cherry blossoms are in full bloom in South Korea. (Photo: Unsplash)
In the first four months of 2024, more than 167,000 Vietnamese tourists visited South Korea, making it the largest international tourist market in Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, South Korea is also Vietnam's largest international tourist market after the pandemic, accounting for nearly 30%. In 2023, more than 3.6 million South Korean tourists visited Vietnam out of a total of 12.6 million international tourists.
